The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has demanded the setting up of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis at the Lagos State University, Ojo and the attendant sacking of seven lecturers among others.
The Lagos Zone of ASUU comprising of Federal and State universities in Lagos and Ogun, also called on the Kogi State Government to reverse its decision regarding the sacking of over 150 academic staff of the Kogi State University, Ayungba and re – instate the affected lecturers.
Addressing journalists at the ASUU office in Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Abeokuta, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, described the treatment mete out to their colleagues in Lagos and Kogi State Universities as acts of “impunity and crude political onslaught” on the union.
Olusiji added that they were calculated to “intimidate, harass and decimate” lecturers in both institutions.
According to him, the zone was mandated by the national body of the union to look into the crises at LASU and KSU and give recommendations.
The Zonal Coordinator briefed journalists in company of other ASUU executives – Deji Agboola of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Dr John Fayemi of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, and Dr. Dele Ashiru of University of Lagos.
Others are; Dr Akinloye Oyewumi of Lagos State University and Dr Adebayo Oni of FUNAAB.
He alleged that members of the union in LASU were being hounded by the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, for demanding constitution of a functional budget monitoring committee.
He also said members had asked for evidence of proper utilisation of the N1.3bn NEEDs Assessment Revitalisation fund released to the institution in 2013.
Sowande explained that their colleagues incurred the wrath of the management of LASU for demanding the implementation of Earned Academic Allowances components of the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement.
He said the union had written a letter to the visitor to the institution, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, over the issue.
The Union also expressed its displeasure over the recent increment of acceptance fee from N10,000 to N20,000 by the Institution .
He said: “ASUU, Lagos zone joins the Education Right Campaign in calling for an independent panel of inquiry on the unfolding crisis in LASU with a view to resolving it before the crisis becomes a monster that will be difficult to curtail.
“We call on governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to call some of his functionaries to order as there are evidences that they are working in tandem with Vice Chancellor of LASU and some members of the governing council to fuel the crisis in LASU
“Our union should not be held responsible for any eventual crisis in LASU.
“The real motive of the LASU’s management for hounding our members is to silence them and we are going to resist it.
“We want an independent panel of inquiry to be set up by the visitor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. If this is not done, the problem will keep reoccurring.
“A case in point is that of the treasurer of LASU branch, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Sonibare was queried for demanding that her promotion should be correctly dated”.
On Kogi Varsity crisis, Sowande condemned the sacking of 150 members of academic staff of the University, describing it as impunity and high-handedness by the state governor, Yahaya Bello.
He urged the state government to reverse the decision on the sacking of the 150 academic staff of the Kogi State University.